A second chance: Sequel of Against all odds (35 page)

“
Did
he tell her?” I asked to be certain.

“
Yes.
Listen Cassidy, I know how it is, that a professor may have a certain
charm but if I were in you, I wouldn't lose time and tears on him.”

I looked stunned at him.

“
Blake?”

“
And
not only because it's illegal to do so and you can put him in loads
of trouble but also because he loves another woman. Apparently he has
a daughter with her and can't forget her.”

My stomach tightened so he
hadn't told her about me but about Kylie's mum.

“
And
how do you know all this?” I asked on the verge of crying
again. The woman he was in love was her not me.

“
Well,
my sister obviously. She made some research or better say made me do
it. Forget him, there are other guys in the world you know.”
Saying that he grabbed my hand.

“
Would
you like to go on a date with me,” he asked taking me by
surprise.

“
What?
Blake I can't.. I...”

“
Please.
I'm a pleasant guy and I'm sure we have a lot in common. You won't
regret it.”

CHAPTER
27

He was still waiting for my
reply. He was really a handsome guy, but I couldn't risk complicating
my life even more by giving him hopes when I knew that no one could
ever take David's place. I had already Tyler to handle.

“
I'm
sorry Blake. It's not that I don't like you but...”

“
But
you're in love with someone else. That professor is really lucky to
have two amazing girls like you who want him so badly. Listen I won't
give up but I won't insist. Not today at least. I want you to get to
know me better before I ask you out again. I'm sure you'll change
your mind.”

“
Blake...”

“
Ahah
I don't want to listen. What lesson do you have now?” He asked
while he got up.

“
Art.”

“
Oh,
very nice. The bell is going to ring soon, we better get going.”

I followed him in and before
he left, he reminded me to wait for him at the canteen. He walked
away, and I hurried to find my class. I arrived just in time; the
bell had rung, and the teacher was coming. I sat down and tried to
follow what Mr Clark was saying. He began to design various things
especially proportions of the body. Just at that moment something
happened. As he talked about proportions while he drew parts of the
body, I felt strange. I couldn't understand what was happening, for
some reason as I stared at him I thought about Tyler. I imagined him
saying those words instead of Mr Clark. I kept imagining him while he
explained. It was as if my mind was formulating images,of the past
perhaps? In another flashback, I saw him while he sat down, took his
tie and jacket and invited me to paint him. I blinked and shook my
head. Was I dreaming? Was I imagining? I saw Mr Clark looking at me
strangely. 

“
Cassidy
are you OK?” He asked with his soft voice. He was a gentle and
calm man.

“
Oh
yes sir,” I replied trying to appear normal. Was it a deja vu?
This was the second time that happened. The first one was  when
David had played the piano and now this.  Had I already lived
that? Was it when Tyler was my teacher? I kept thinking trying to
make it happen again but to no use. It seemed that these visions came
on their own at different times. The next two hours I tried to stop
thinking on anything, to relax and try to do what Mr Clark was
saying. He had come near me a lot of times, saying that I was doing
great and correcting my small mistakes. I kept drawing but my mind
wasn't concentrating. I kept seeing David's face. I kept imagining
Claire touching his face, and I kept hoping that Blake was right and
that he had rejected Claire. I already felt distraught about the fact
that he kept loving Kylie's mum. I didn't need another enemy. I
really wanted to see this woman. I wanted to see with whom I was
competing and what I could do to win against her. I hated her. How
could he still have feelings for her?

When the bell rang, I put
everything in and ran out. I wanted to try and find David before
going to the canteen. I went into his classroom, but it was empty, he
wasn't there. Why was it so difficult to speak to him today? I
decided that I had to wait until after school since it seemed that I
had no choice, so I ran to the canteen. As soon as I stepped in I saw
Blake, he was sitting down talking with some guys. As soon as he saw
me he stood up and waved at me. He smiled; I blushed a little and
looked down and started to walk towards him. It was quite difficult
to do so, today the canteen was full of students. I squeezed myself
between two girls to pass, and my bag fell down on one of the tables
knocking over a cup of orange juice. I heard a yell and someone
grabbing my bag with anger. When I looked up, I saw Claire. Today
must be my lucky day, I thought. I had just spilled her orange juice
on her lap, staining her white dress. She stood up and looked at me
angrily.

 “
You
again. My God, what's wrong with you? You can't even walk straight
without causing any accidents. You're such a clumsy, stupid girl!”She
snapped.

“
I'm
sorry... really but it's not my fault.. I...” I was not the
least sorry.

“
Look
what you did to my dress, this is Chanel you know! You know how much
it costs huh? I don't think so, you could never afford this. Just
look at yourself you don't even know how to dress.” She
shouted. There was a sudden silence in the canteen. Everyone was
looking at me. I really felt embarrassed; this girl was really
arrogant. I hated her more than ever.

“
Hey,
what's wrong here?” I turned around and looked up behind me. It
was Blake.

“
This
stupid, clumsy brat just ruined my dress. But you'll have to pay for
it!”She screamed.

I was mortified. I must have
been all red. She was embarrassing me in front of the whole school.

“
Oh,
come on Claire, give her a break. You have tonnes of those.”Blake
said in my defence.

She looked at Blake stunned.

“
What?
You're taking her defence?”She shouted astonished.

“
As
a matter of fact yes I am. You're doing a fuss for nothing. Just sit
down and continue to eat. I don't think Mr Bayne would be very proud
of you right now.” He said looking at her with narrowed eyes
and a smirk on his face.

“
What?
And what this has to do with him? You're telling me what to do?”
She asked with her mouth open.

I loved the way he stood up
to her. Okay, he was her step-brother but he seemed to intimidate
her. Probably the only one that could do this.

“
Yes
I am... she's not paying anything OK. I'll do it for her. Just leave
her alone.” Saying that, he grabbed my hand and dragged me
outside.

“
Are
you OK?” He asked.

I nodded and looked at him.
He seemed worried.

“
She
can be really cruel sometimes. But don't worry, I'll talk to her. She
will leave you alone.”

“
I
don't think so.” I replied.

“
Why?”

“
She's
coming out.” He turned around to see her just in front of him.
Her hands resting on her hips looking askance at us.

“
What
was that huh? Were you trying to humiliate me in front of my friends?
Blake I told you to stay away from me.” She fumed.

“
Humiliate
you? Weren’t you the one who tried to humiliate her? Do you
think that because we are rich you can step on everyone's heads?”
He retorted back.

“
Shut
up. She deserves more than that.” She replied sharply.

She was looking at me with
pure hatred. I could see the fire in her eyes.

“
I
always win Cassidy, in everything. So prepare yourself. I'll be the
one who will go with Mr Bayne for that competition and not you. He's
helping me out; I passed beautiful moments with him. So do everybody
a favour and just stay in your place. You're just a loser.”

I had enough. She was
getting on my nerves now. How dare she call me a loser.

“
You
won't win, I'll do the best writing.” I replied steadily.

“
I
don't think so.” She said laughing.

“
He
will never love you back!” I shouted.

“
No?
We'll see... you think you can do better than me huh?” She said
in an amused tone.

“
Did
you ever kiss him?” I asked then. Blake looked at me, and she
froze for a second but then..

“
Why?
You did.. that's what you're saying?” She asked holding her
breath. 

“
You'd
be surprised.” I replied vaguely.

What the hell was I doing? I
could bring David in trouble by admitting that something happened
between us.

“
I
would never believe that even if I had to see it with my eyes.”
She laughed. I was going to say something else, but I bit my lip. I
couldn't risk everything just to shut her up. Blake was still looking
at me intently.

“
Let's
go Cassidy, we're going to be late for the audition.”He said
then as he put his arm protectively around my shoulder. Claire looked
at us narrowly and then..

“
What
are you doing Blake? Oh no, don't tell me. Dear Bro, hope you're not
interested in her, she's not your type, she's plain, insignificant
and lacks elegance. My God, my mum would have a heart attack if you
bring her home. I thought you were more intelligent.” She said
contemptuously.

I felt Blake's hand
tightening the grip around me, he seemed angry. I was going to retort
back, but he let go of me and strolled towards Claire and clasped her
arm angrily.

“
You
have to stop this OK. Just shut up and go away.  I will never
know what the hell my father saw in your mum. My God, how can he
stand her? She's just as much as spoilt and arrogant as you are. Like
mother like daughter. Be careful Claire, I know secrets which surely
would make an effect on your reputation if they had to come out so
leave Cassidy alone. This is an order.”

She pulled her hand back
with anger and frowned. She was going to say something else but then
she changed her mind and left. What secrets did he know? I was
curious. He had turned to face me; his gaze had softened, he didn't
seem angry anymore.

“
Come
on Cassy, let's go.” He grabbed my hand in his. My heart lost a
beat. I wanted to retrieve my hand, I looked up at him to tell him to
let me go but when he looked at me and smiled I couldn't say
anything. I looked down and remained silent. He let go of my hand
only when we had arrived near the hall. There were many students
queuing for the audition in front of the hall's door.

“
Oh,
we have to wait in the Que I'm afraid.”Blake muttered.

“
Wow,
are all these students here for a part?” I asked surprised. I
thought there would be no one.

“
Yes,
most of them will be disappointed, there aren't a lot of parts
available especially for the girls.”

“
Oh,
what play are they going to do?” I asked curiously.

“
Didn't
I tell you? Romeo and Juliet.”

“
Oh...
well I guess I won't be selected. Maybe I should just go.”

“
What?
Oh no.. you can't say that before you try. Wait here. I'll go and get
the scripts so we know what we'll have to act in front of the jury.”

“
The
jury? Is there a jury as well?”I questioned startlingly.

“
Oh,
a sort of, nothing professional, it will be composed by 6 teachers.”